Department of Justice Seal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CR

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1999

(202) 616-2777

WWW.USDOJ.GOV

TDD (202) 514-1888


TWO INDIANA MEN ARRESTED FOR CROSS BURNING IN GARY, INDIANA


WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Two Indiana men were arrested today for allegedly burning a cross on the property of a black family in Gary, Indiana, announced the Justice Department.

On October 20, 1999, Michael E. Riley, 36, from Gary, Indiana, and Ricky Lee Cumbow, 34, from Hammond, Indiana, were indicted by a federal grand jury in Hammond for conspiring to violate the civil rights of the victims. The indictment, unsealed today, alleges that in the early morning hours of May 3, 1998, Riley and Cumbow built a seven-foot-tall wooden cross and burned it in the backyard of a black couple, Ulysses Lacy and Carmen Estelle. The couple's seven-year-old son discovered the cross.

"We remain deeply committed to vigorously investigating and prosecuting arson attacks against individuals," said Bill Lann Lee, Acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. "We will not let up until all perpetrators of racial violence are brought to justice."

The offenses with which the defendants are charged carry a penalty in excess of 10 years. The case is expected to go to trial early next year. The investigation of the case is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Indianapolis Division, Merrillville Resident Agency. Prosecution of the case is being handled by Department of Justice attorneys Roy L. Austin, Jr. and Bharathi A. Venkatraman, both with the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division, along with assistance from the U.S. Attorney's Office. Today's arrests were made with the assistance of the Merrillville and Hammond, Indiana, Police Departments. The charges contained in the complaints are only allegations of guilt and are not proof of any crime.

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